What is Skybox The Matrix Weekly?
Upper Deck has launched a new digital trading card series on their e-Pack platform. The Matrix Weekly follows a unique release schedule, dropping new packs every week for 10 consecutive weeks. Each week features 1999 packs, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
This approach differs from traditional trading card releases where all cards are available at once. Instead, collectors need to return each week to complete their sets, creating a more extended and gamified collecting experience.
Pack Breakdown and Contents
Each pack contains 4 cards:
- One of four Base Set cards exclusive to that week
- One of two Black & White Variant cards exclusive to that week
- One Digital Rain card
- One chase card (Insert, Parallel, or Printing Plate)
The chase cards include several tiers of rarity, from the more common Characters cards (limited to 1499) down to extremely rare 1-of-1 Code FX Gold Parallels and Printing Plates.
Complete Product Checklist
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Base Set (40 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Digital Rain Parallel (40 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Printing Plates (40 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Black & White Variant (20 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Glitch Achievements (5 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Characters (10 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Characters Gold Parallel (10 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Characters Digital Rain Parallel (10 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Characters Printing Plates (10 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Characters Blue Parallel Achievements (5 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Characters Red Parallel Achievements (5 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Code FX (4 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Code FX Blue Parallel (4 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Code FX Green Parallel (4 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Code FX Gold Parallel (4 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Code FX Printing Plates (4 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Digital Rain Puzzle Pieces (30 cards)
- Skybox The Matrix Weekly Precious Metal Gems Magenta Achievements (4 cards)
Base Set Card List (40 Cards)
- Freeze! Police!
- Your Men Are Already Dead
- Close Call
- All I’m Offering Is the Truth
- Welcome to the Desert of the Real
- Ignorance Is Bliss
- The Future Is Our World
- Guns. Lots of Guns
- Agent Agility
- Dodge This
- Do You Believe It Now, Trinity?
- We Need an Exit
- Flying Face-Off
- Here They Come
- You Can’t Be Dead
- He Is the One
- I’m In
- Underground Rendezvous
- Agents Are Coming
- That Went As Expected
- Surprised To See Me?
- I’ll Handle Them
- Okay, You Have Some Skill
- Morpheus Makes a Stand
- You Will Know Which Door
- The Problem Is Choice
- Nightmare Come True
- This Place Is Nowhere
- Chasing the Trainman
- Covering His Tracks
- I Can See You
- Attack on Zion
- Peace
- It Ends Tonight
- The One vs. The Many
- Swinging in the Rain
- Dare to Duel
- Skyfall Showdown
- This Is My World!
- It Is Done
Rarity and Numbering Guide
Code FX Series (Most Rare):
- Base Code FX: #’d to 100
- Code FX Blue Parallel: #’d to 50
- Code FX Green Parallel: #’d to 10
- Code FX Gold Parallel: 1-of-1
Characters Series:
- Base Characters: Limited to 1499
- Characters Gold Parallel: Limited to 499
- Characters Digital Rain Parallel: Unknown print run
- Characters Printing Plates: 1-of-1 (4 plates per card)
Achievement Cards:
- Glitch Achievements: Earned through redemption
- Characters Blue/Red Parallel Achievements: Earned through redemption
- Precious Metal Gems Magenta Achievements: Earned through Glitch Achievement redemption
How the Achievement System Works
The Matrix Weekly includes three types of achievement cards that can only be obtained through redemption:
Glitch Achievements: Collectors who complete specific sets can redeem them for exclusive Glitch Achievement cards featuring main characters on Matrix-themed designs.
Characters Achievements: Similar to Glitch Achievements, but reward collectors with Characters Blue or Red Parallel Achievement cards.
Precious Metal Gems Achievements: The highest tier of achievements, earned by redeeming specific Glitch Achievement cards for even rarer Precious Metal Gems Achievement cards.
Collecting Strategy and Tips
Since each week’s packs are only available for seven days, collectors need to plan their approach carefully. Missing a week means missing those specific Base Set and Black & White Variant cards, which could make completing the full set difficult later.
The 1999 pack limit per week also means popular weeks could sell out before the seven-day window closes. Week 1 packs are already available in the Upper Deck e-Pack store.
For collectors interested in the achievement cards, it’s worth noting that redemption requirements haven’t been fully detailed yet. This means collectors may want to hold onto their cards until Upper Deck releases more information about what specific combinations are needed.
Digital Rain Design Elements
One of the standout features is how the Digital Rain parallels transform each base card image using the iconic green Matrix code aesthetic. This creates a visual connection to the films while offering collectors a different version of each card.
The Digital Rain Puzzle Pieces (30 cards) appear to be another unique element, though details about how these work together haven’t been fully explained yet.
Collector’s Value Considerations
Weekly releases create different market dynamics compared to traditional releases. Early weeks may carry premiums simply for being first, while later weeks might see reduced participation as some collectors drop out.
The 1-of-1 Code FX Gold Parallels and Printing Plates will likely command the highest prices, followed by the low-numbered Green Parallels and Achievement cards.
Base sets may become more valuable over time if completion rates are low due to the weekly commitment required.
Where to Buy
Skybox The Matrix Weekly packs are exclusively available through Upper Deck’s e-Pack platform. Each week’s packs cost a set amount and are limited to 1999 total packs.
Packs remain available for one week or until sold out, whichever comes first. Secondary market sales will likely happen through the e-Pack marketplace as well.
The series runs for 10 consecutive weeks, with Week 1 currently available for purchase.
